//Interview// Suave Martyrs

Suave Martyrs is a name that may not ring familiar to some, however, it is one you should look out for. Originating as a band in Manchester during early 2019, Suave Martyrs have gone from strength to strength from supporting Alias kid at a sold-out Deaf institute show to selling out their first headline within 24 hours of tickets going on sale the same year. Even during lockdown, the band have been busy, including the release of their new single ‘Footsteps’. In this interview, the band’s Drummer, Biscuit, reminiscences about the band’s first headline, details some of the lockdown activities the band have got up to as well as their excellent new single.

You sold out your first headline show at Jimmy’s in Manchester last July, what was your reaction when you found out?

We were excited, to be honest! It was quite early in the band's development so definitely gave us confidence that we were doing something right. It ended up being a good night and looking back it was one of our favourite shows.

When lockdown is completely over where is the first place you’ll be visiting?

Well with the first ‘easing’ of lockdown we went straight back to the rehearsal room which was a very exciting day. But when it’s completely over we will be most excited about being able to gig again and shall be putting a show together in Manchester and hopefully one in Leeds soon after that.

You have played some excellent venues and places around the UK, what has been your favourite show memory so far?

That’s a hard one. I think overall the show that we put on just before lockdown at Royal Park in Leeds would take the top spot. It wasn’t our busiest show, but the people that were there really got involved and helped to create such a good atmosphere for all the bands that were on. Both our supporting acts were brilliant and there was a real buzz by the time we stepped on stage.

You recently released a new single called ‘Footsteps’ what is your favourite lyric from the track and why?

Good question! The lyrics are much darker than many of our other tracks, more than anything that we have recorded! ‘Out of the shadows a hand reaching out’ is one that stands out because the disembodied hand really sets the gothic mood and gives a glimpse of the assailant without revealing their identity.

What has been your experience while releasing ‘Footsteps’ especially during such an odd time for music? Have you learnt anything from the experience?

It has been an odd time for music, but social media has had been thriving with everyone being stuck at home! So, to be honest, we have found it different, but by no means all bad. It’s a shame to not go and gig to promote the new music, but we have just put more time and effort into the online world, getting involved with interviews, live streams gigs and just generally being more on top of creating content for our socials. We have learnt much more about marketing during the lockdown.

If a bar was to make a drink inspired by the band what would it be called and why?

I think it would have to be a whiskey. But not your petrol station whiskey. Something with a blend of flavours; Smokey, peaty with a hint of the chronic. Aged nicely. In an oak barrel. Some say it would be provocatively splintery taste with a touch of mere sophistication. Which is solidified through the 5-part distilling stages. Not one to be turned down. It would definitely warm your cockles.

Have any of you learnt any new skills at all during lockdown or has been mostly music orientated?

Mostly music-related. Obviously, practice has been one of the best activities to kill time, particularly during the first part of lockdown where we couldn’t see anyone at all. We have also learnt a lot about social marketing through having the singles out. Gigging is a massive part of the marketing for unsigned bands, so we had to think about how we can do this differently based on the circumstance. So, we worked hard on making sure we were utilizing social media as much as possible. This is the main reason that we released ‘Straight A’s’ because it was a piece of content that is fun for people to watch and listen to. This project also taught us how we could work remotely; bouncing ideas back and forth from each other and creating both a song and a video montage without ever meeting up. It was a fun challenge.

What is the origin of the band name?

It comes from the bands earliest stages where it was Ben and Stu writing songs together. Suave derives from the late Latin suavis "agreeable" and meaning charming cool and elegant. Martyrs derives from martur which is the Greek Latin for witness, together there is an idea of art from a core of hard work which feeds into the spiritual being; to leave apart of your own ego in the art form that you create. Although being completely honest, at first it was mostly that the two words put together sounded cool! The meaning behind it has just been interpreted since, usually after a couple of pints.

What can fans expect in the next few months?

We have had a busy year despite lockdown. We got very lucky and were in the studio the weekend before the lockdown started, so there are 2 more singles to be released, one in September and one in November. Both a bit different to Footsteps with the intention being to show the different sides of the band. Also, on top of that keep an eye on all our socials as there’s plenty more content to be released. Part 2 of the video series “A weekend with Suave Martyrs" will be out on Louder Than War early next month.

We are playing at MM Fest on the 22nd August, if the event goes ahead, which we really hope it does as there are some great bands on the lineup. You can message us directly for the ticket link. Then the rest is COVID-dependent. If it is safe to do so then we will be putting on our own shows in the autumn, but if not then it will be pushed back to 2021.

What music has been keeping you going through lockdown?

We have such varied music tastes in the band so a whole heap of stuff! It’s important to listen to all sorts of music and not get too stuck into the idea of “I like this genre.” There’s plenty of good music out there in so many scenes, you just have to look for it. Personally though, if you asked for a specific track then I would have to say Baxter Dury- Miami.

You stream Suave Martyrs new single 'Footsteps' by clicking the image below: